Authors Note: Ollie wanted me to try to write a Jo/Mac chapter fic so here I am. Me and updating chapter fics is a novelty that I wish I could do well but most of the time I either update real quick or go weeks without any. Just warning you. :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with the characters or show, just the excitement I have over season 8's filming having started now!

Mac could see Jo was angry even at the distance away he was and immediately wanted to know what had happened to cause the usually calm female to act like this. Not anything to do with how he deep down wanted to hurt whoever had made his friend annoyed. Not at all.

He walked into her office after gently knocking on the glass then sat opposite her as she flashed him a soft smile and rested her chin on the palm of her hand.

"Hey."

"Hi, how are you?"

"Fine."

He shook his head, irked at how she never wanted to tell him the truth at times like this, "Come on Jo, you really aren't fine and I want to know what's gone on."

"It's not a big deal, just family stuff. You wouldn't be interested."

He gave her a tight nod before replying, "Try me."

Jo stared at him for a moment, attempting to figure out why he would be so concerned about her problems. She always wanted to tell him what went on in her life – including all the mundane events that even Ellie wouldn't listen to – but she was afraid to allow him to see that she wanted to spend so much time with him in case he didn't think they were that close.

"Okay, I got home last night to find Tyler and his girlfriend waiting up for me. She just found out she is pregnant with his child. Mac, he's just a kid himself, how can he have been so stupid?

"Sounds like a fun conversation, shame I missed it," he said with a smirk.

"Oh be quiet." How he was managing to make her giggle considering how she was currently feeling was beyond her understanding but she liked it and thanked the divine spirits for putting her on his team.

"Can I ask you how old you were when you got pregnant with Tyler."

"Almost 26."

"Only a few years older than he is now. What difference do those months make? Right now your son is a fabulous young gentleman who has the decency to tell his mother as soon as he finds out big news."

Jo let out a sigh, "Russ and I were married and settled into careers when we started a family. My baby is still in college with no true idea what he wants to do in the future."

He watched as she lowered her eyelids and took some deep breaths in, willing the tears not to fall down her face because it pained him to see her upset.

"Are they wanting to stay together and are they happy about the baby?"

Jo's eyes opened again and looked into his seriously, "Yeah, they're absolutely ecstatic and totally in love with each other. They are high-school sweethearts and to my knowledge have never once broken up. Tyler hasn't spoke to me since I was less than enthusiastic when they told me. I think they would make excellent parents but not yet."

"You worry people will think you are old when you tell them you're a grandmother." He didn't do humour all that well but knew it was one of the few ways to get Jo to open up.

"Yep, that's the whole problem in a nutshell. I don't want my son to get his girlfriend knocked up because guys will think I am too elderly yo date. Why are you being like this Mac? Just leave me to wallow for the rest of my life and you can get back to the proper work you're supposed to be doing."

Mac stood up and she honestly thought he was going to walk back out of the room but he didn't. He walked around to the other side of the desk, where she was and cleared a space in the middle of her mounds of files and post-it noted to sit down.

"Jo Danville, you are not getting rid of me that easily. Knowing your family like I do, I know you are going to be the one who is in need of the most support... I bet your ex-husband isn't taking the news well either though."

"I have no clue how he is. Tyler made sure I wouldn't tell Russ before he got the chance and I am thankful for that. True however, I would pay money to watch that scene. Thank you Mac."

"For what?"

"Just being here."

He raised his arms from down by his side and placed his hand on her shoulder, silently telling her he was not going to let her go through this journey by herself.

To Be Continued.